Conversations with Annastasia Hicks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annastasia Hicks.

Hi Annastasia , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I attended Centre College with every intention of becoming an attorney and planned to continue on to law school after graduation. However, during my final semester, I realized I wanted to build a career centered on creating meaningful, positive experiences rather than spending my life in conflict resolution. Just before graduating, I made the unexpected decision to change course and pursue event and wedding planning instead.

Around that same time, my sister shared her vision of restoring a historic home in our hometown of Cynthiana, Kentucky, and transforming it into a bed and breakfast. While boutique inns and wedding weekend destinations weren’t nearly as common then as they are today, we believed there was an opportunity to create something truly special. We immersed ourselves in learning the hospitality, lodging, and wedding industries from the ground up, combining my experience working at a local event venue in high school with a willingness to learn every aspect of the business.

Over the years, my role has grown far beyond wedding planning. As Executive Director of Ashford Acres, I wear many hats—from marketing, social media, website management, newsletters, and brand development to planning and coordinating weddings, creating public events, and helping shape the long-term vision of the estate. Like many small business owners, no two days are ever the same, and I truly enjoy the variety that comes with helping every part of the business grow.

Along the way, my husband and I built our life together in Cynthiana, where we share our home with our beloved dogs and have had the privilege of growing alongside Ashford Acres. What began as an unexpected career change has become a lifelong passion—one that allows me to combine hospitality, creativity, preservation, and community in a way I never could have imagined.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think that’s unique to Ashford Acres. It’s the reality of building any small business, especially one that’s as multifaceted as ours. We aren’t simply a bed and breakfast or simply a wedding venue. We operate across hospitality, events, culinary experiences, lodging, and agriculture, so every day brings new opportunities and new challenges.

When I first began this journey at 23 years old, I probably assumed that once one challenge was solved, there would be a period of calm before the next. What I’ve learned is that challenges aren’t interruptions to the journey—they’re part of it. Whether it’s an unexpected maintenance issue, adapting to growth, or navigating the changing needs of a team and our guests, every obstacle has ultimately helped shape Ashford Acres into what it is today.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve intentionally built. We strive to create an environment where people genuinely care about one another while maintaining a high standard of professionalism. From our gardeners and maintenance team to our planners, culinary staff, and housekeepers, everyone understands that they’re contributing to something much bigger than a job. They’re helping create experiences and memories that people will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Ashford Acres has always felt like more than a business to me. There’s something incredibly special about the property itself, and many guests tell us they can feel it the moment they arrive. While the estate has its own character and history, I’ve also come to realize that preserving that feeling requires intentional leadership, constant care, and an incredible team of people who believe in the same vision. My role isn’t to create the magic alone—it’s to help cultivate an environment where that magic can continue to flourish every day.

Looking back, every challenge has taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way. I no longer ask, “Why is this happening?” Instead, I ask, “What is this preparing us for?” More often than not, those difficult seasons have become the very experiences that allowed us to grow into a stronger business and better serve our couples, guests, and community.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets Ashford Acres apart is that we’ve never wanted to be just a wedding venue or simply a bed and breakfast. From the very beginning, our vision has been to create a destination estate where every visit feels like an experience. Whether someone joins us for a wedding, an overnight stay, dinner, or a public event, our goal is for them to slow down, connect with one another, and leave feeling like they’ve experienced something authentic to Kentucky.

That philosophy influences everything we do. We grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in our gardens that make their way into our kitchen. Our chefs create seasonal menus around what we’re harvesting, our bartenders craft cocktails using house-made syrups and fresh ingredients, and guests are encouraged to wander the gardens, feed our farm animals, and enjoy the property as more than simply a venue. We want people to experience the estate—not just visit it.

I’m especially proud of the reputation we’ve built. When we first opened, we were a small business in rural Kentucky with a big vision. Everything we’ve accomplished—from being recognized as one of Kentucky’s top wedding venues to earning awards like Best of Lexington—has been built through years of intentional work, exceptional guest experiences, and authentic storytelling. We never wanted our marketing to promise something we couldn’t deliver. If anything, we hope guests arrive and find that the experience exceeds what they imagined.

Marketing has become one of my greatest passions because I believe it isn’t simply about attracting attention—it’s about telling the truth exceptionally well. I spend a great deal of time studying hospitality, branding, consumer psychology, and leadership because I believe those lessons should shape the guest experience just as much as they shape our advertising. Whether I’m learning from leaders like Lee Cockerell or studying emerging marketing trends, my goal is always the same: to ensure that what people see online is exactly what they experience when they walk through our gates.

More than anything, I’m proud that Ashford Acres has grown through authenticity. We’ve never tried to be the biggest—we’ve focused on being intentional. Every meal, every wedding, every overnight stay, and every interaction is an opportunity to make someone feel genuinely welcomed. I believe that’s what keeps people coming back and what has allowed Ashford Acres to grow into the destination it is today.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is watching a vision come to life. Professionally, there are few things more rewarding than walking the property before guests arrive and seeing every detail come together—the gardens in bloom, the grounds beautifully maintained, the tables set, the kitchen bustling, and our team excited for what’s ahead. There’s a special moment when Ashford Acres feels ready to welcome people, and I never take that feeling for granted.

I’m equally proud of the culture we’ve built. Watching our team bring their own creativity, ideas, and passion to Ashford Acres is incredibly fulfilling because it means they feel connected to what we’re creating together. I want every member of our team to know that they play an important role in shaping the guest experience, and seeing that pride reflected in their work is one of my greatest joys.

Perhaps what means the most to me is witnessing the impact we have on our guests. After helping more than 330 couples celebrate one of the most important days of their lives, I still get emotional when a bride walks down the aisle or when a family gathers around the table for a meal. It has never become routine. I know that every couple and every guest has chosen to spend their time and resources with us, and I believe it’s our responsibility to make that experience worthy of the trust they’ve placed in us.

Outside of work, I find the same kind of joy in creating a peaceful life at home. My husband and I love living surrounded by nature in Cynthiana, where we’ve built our own gardens and enjoy spending time outdoors with our dogs. Gardening, caring for our property, supporting pollinators, and watching each season bring new growth reminds me why I love hospitality so much. Whether at home or at Ashford Acres, I’m happiest when I’m cultivating places that help people—and myself—slow down, reconnect with nature, and appreciate life’s simple moments.

Pricing:

• Room Stays $250-$350

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashfordacresinn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashfordacresinn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashfordacresinn
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashfordacresinn?_r=1&_t=ZP-98lmsgclGeV